England international Ollie Watkins has made a move to Al Hilal, leaving Aston Villa, as confirmed by the Saudi Pro League club.
This marks another significant exit for Villa this summer, following the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa.
In response to his transfer, Watkins expressed his gratitude to Aston Villa fans, saying “from the bottom of my heart.” In a video shared on Instagram, he stated, “Firstly, I never thought my time at Aston Villa would conclude this way.”
“That said, I am eternally thankful for the past six years. They have not only shaped me as a player but also as an individual. We’ve experienced countless highs and lows during my time here.”
“One constant has been my commitment to this club. From my first goals in the 7-2 victory over Liverpool, to our return to Europe, the Champions League nights at Villa Park, to that unforgettable evening in Istanbul.”
“As I embark on a new chapter, I’m filled with excitement. However, I leave this chapter with a heavy heart. Villa will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you all sincerely.”
The 30-year-old joined Villa in 2020 after a successful stint at Brentford.
In May, Watkins achieved his 75th Premier League goal for Villa, surpassing Gabriel Agbonlahor as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the league.
Throughout his tenure at Villa, he netted 108 goals in 278 appearances, contributing to their UEFA Europa League triumph last season.
During his time at Villa Park, Watkins also made his England debut in 2021 and has since earned 24 caps, scoring seven goals.
“Known for his ability to score various types of goals and his relentless work ethic, Watkins leaves Villa after playing a pivotal role in our UEFA Europa League success, and he has our warmest wishes,” the club stated.
To fill the gap left by Watkins, Villa has signed Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea.
Information from PA contributed to this report.